Microbial cells do not live in isolation in their environment, but rather they communicate with each other using chemical signals. This sophisticated mode of cell-to-cell signalling, known as quorum ...sensing, was first discovered in bacteria, and coordinates the behaviour of microbial population behaviour in a cell-density-dependent manner. More recently, these mechanisms have been described in eukaryotes, particularly in fungi, where they regulate processes such as pathogenesis, morphological differentiation, secondary metabolite production and biofilm formation. In this manuscript, we review the information available to date on these processes in yeast, dimorphic fungi and filamentous fungi. We analyse the diverse chemical 'languages' used by different groups of fungi, their possible cross-talk and interkingdom interactions with other organisms. We discuss the existence of these mechanisms in multicellular organisms, the ecophysiological role of QS in fungal colonisation and the potential applications of these mechanisms in biotechnology and pathogenesis.
The protein corona formed on the surface of a nanoparticle in a biological medium determines its behavior in vivo. Herein, iron oxide nanoparticles containing the same core and shell, but bearing two ...different surface coatings, either glucose or poly(ethylene glycol), were evaluated. The nanoparticles’ protein adsorption, in vitro degradation, and in vivo biodistribution and biotransformation over four months were investigated. Although both types of nanoparticles bound similar amounts of proteins in vitro, the differences in the protein corona composition correlated to the nanoparticles biodistribution in vivo. Interestingly, in vitro degradation studies demonstrated faster degradation for nanoparticles functionalized with glucose, whereas the in vivo results were opposite with accelerated biodegradation and clearance of the nanoparticles functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol). Therefore, the variation in the degradation rate observed in vivo could be related not only to the molecules attached to the surface, but also with the associated protein corona, as the key role of the adsorbed proteins on the magnetic core degradation has been demonstrated in vitro.
In the Iberian Iron Age, the transition to workshop-based pottery production involved the use of innovative tools (the potter's wheel and kiln) and dedicated workspace. This facilitated an ...intensification of production, with repercussions for consumption practices and the economy. Cross-craft comparison can contribute to understanding the transmission processes underpinning this transition, as well as its impact on local craft traditions. This paper discusses an archaeometric methodology to compare the technological procedures underpinning different clay crafts to reveal crossovers and divergences that are meaningful for understanding cross craft interaction and the spread of technological innovations. We use thin-section ceramic petrography, X-Ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, and X-Ray Diffraction to analyse the mineralogical and geochemical compositions and levels of standardisation in hand-made pottery, wheel-made ceramics, and ceramic building materials from the Late Iron Age oppidum of Monte Bernorio (Aguilar de Campoo, Palencia) and the kiln site of El Cerrito (Cella, Teruel). The results demonstrate that wheel-made pottery was produced according to a highly uniform clay preparation and clay selection procedure, which spanned the northern Iberian Plateau and largely existed in isolation from local pottery traditions. At Monte Bernorio, wheel-made pottery was made on-site from non-local clays, suggesting that suitable clays were brought to the site, perhaps by itinerant potters working on a seasonal basis. Technological traditions were thus largely polarised, demonstrating that knowledge, skills, and markets relating to workshop-produced pottery were enacted by a segment of society operating as part of a closed technological system.
In this work we compared the efficiency of a laccase treatment performed on steam-exploded wheat straw pretreated under soft conditions (water impregnation) or harsh conditions (impregnation with ...diluted acid). The effect of several enzymatic treatment parameters (pH, time of incubation, laccase origin and loading) was analysed. The results obtained indicated that severity conditions applied during steam explosion have an influence on the efficiency of detoxification. A reduction of the toxic effect of phenolic compounds by laccase polymerization of free phenols was demonstrated. Laccase treatment of steam-exploded wheat straw reduced sugar recovery after enzymatic hydrolysis, and it should be better performed after hydrolysis with cellulases. The fermentability of hydrolysates was greatly improved by the laccase treatment in all the samples. Our results demonstrate the action of phenolic compounds as fermentation inhibitors, and the advantages of a laccase treatment to increase the ethanol production from steam-exploded wheat straw.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are being promoted in European countries to significantly improve air quality in urban areas and reduce Greenhouse Gases emissions. This study evaluates and compares the ...potential environmental effects of electric, hybrid, petrol, and diesel cars in Spain using a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment approach. It aims to accomplish a precise analysis of a wide range of environmental impact categories. To this end, we provide a transparent inventory of components and vehicle manufacture, their distribution, use phase, and end-of-life, together with a detailed description of the Spanish 2014–2018 electricity generation mix. Furthermore, based on European projections, the work evaluates future energy scenarios, 2030 and 2050, to assess the impact of increasing renewable electricity in electric cars. In the current Spanish scenario and assuming a lifetime of 150,000 km, BEV life cycle CO2-eq emissions are 48% lower than petrol ICEV. Future scenarios of the Spanish electricity grid confirm that a massive introduction of renewable energies would lead to a 19.26% and 27.41% decrease of CO2-eq emissions in 2030 and 2050, respectively. Nevertheless, current and future energy scenario predictions show that electric vehicles will produce an increase in fine particulate matter formation (26%), human carcinogenic (20%) and non-carcinogenic toxicity (61%), terrestrial ecotoxicity (31%), freshwater ecotoxicity (39%), and marine ecotoxicity (41%) relative to petrol vehicles. Transfer of environmental burdens from the use phase to the raw materials extraction and manufacturing phases entails a delocalisation of the impacts, which constitutes a new challenge at environmental, social, and legal levels. This study is the first comparative analysis of the environmental impacts of passenger vehicles in Spain from a cradle-to-grave perspective, considering different impact categories and time scopes.
•Future scenarios for Spain enhance electric vehicle carbon footprint reduction.•Electric vehicles show the highest toxicity on ecosystems and human health.•Electric and hybrid vehicles transfer most of their impacts to the manufacture.•Future scenarios rise the geographical delocalisation of environmental impacts.•Data inventories are proposed for the current and future Spanish electricity mixes.
The primary objective of this prospective case-control study was to assess the diagnostic value of several intra-articular and periarticular ultrasound (US)-detected abnormalities in the upper and ...lower limbs in gout. The secondary objective was to test the concurrent validity of US abnormalities using as gold standard the microscopic demonstration of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals.
Ninety-one men with gout and 42 age-matched controls were prospectively recruited. All patients with gout and controls underwent US assessment of several US abnormalities in 26 joints, six bursae, eight tendons, 20 tendon compartments, four ligaments, and 18 articular cartilages by experts in US blinded to the patients' group. Patients with gout and controls with US abnormalities were asked to undergo US-guided aspiration for microscopic identification of MSU crystals. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the US assessment was evaluated in a web-based exercise.
The assessment of one joint (ie, radiocarpal joint) for hyperechoic aggregates (HAGs), two tendons (ie, patellar tendon and triceps tendon) for HAGs and three articular cartilages (ie, first metatarsal, talar and second metacarpal/femoral) for double contour sign showed the best balance between sensitivity and specificity (84.6% and 83.3%, respectively). Intraobserver reliability was good (mean κ 0.75) and interobserver reliability was moderate (κ 0.52). The aspirated material from HAGs was positive for MSU crystals in 77.6% of patients with gout and negative in all controls.
Our results suggest that US bilateral assessment of one joint, three articular cartilages and two tendons may be valid for diagnosing gout with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.
Seroprevalence surveys provide estimates of the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the population, regardless of disease severity and test availability. In Mexico in 2020, COVID-19 cases reached a ...maximum in July and December. We aimed to estimate the national and regional seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies across demographic and socioeconomic groups in Mexico after the first wave, from August to November 2020. We used nationally representative survey data including 9,640 blood samples. Seroprevalence was estimated by socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, adjusting by the sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay test. The national seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 24.9% (95%CI 22.2, 26.7), being lower for adults 60 years and older. We found higher seroprevalence among urban and metropolitan areas, low socioeconomic status, low education and workers. Among seropositive people, 67.3% were asymptomatic. Social distancing, lockdown measures and vaccination programs need to consider that vulnerable groups are more exposed to the virus and unable to comply with lockdown measures.
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